Maty Ryan eager to pass on his simple secret to success

Chris Curulli 1622182394,1622763320

As Maty Ryan reflects on his journey through football so far, one key trait stands out: self-belief.

It may sound simple, but the Socceroos goalkeeper's experiences for club and country - from a baptism of fire at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil to his most recent dream stint with boyhood club Arsenal - have proven to him how much faith one needs in their own ability, in order to make it to the top.

At just 29 years of age, Ryan has already amassed 59 international caps - the second most out of the 31 selected for June's upcoming FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.

This camp, which will see seven potential debutants take part, provides the perfect opportunity for Ryan to take on a mentoring role like he never has before.

Watch Maty's full extended interview upon returning to camp in the player above.

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Ryan is familiar with one of the uncapped squad members in particular. His connection with fellow shot-stopper Lawrence Thomas spans all the way back to their teenage days with NPL New South Wales club Blacktown City.

While the two are relishing the opportunity to rekindle their 'friendly rivalry', Ryan is keen to use what he gained from his own first Socceroos experience (nearly a decade ago), to help welcome all of those relatively new to the national team environment.

"I guess I understand the way everyone feels when they first come in," he said.

"But they're obviously here for a reason and obviously the boss sees them contributing to what we're trying to do here. I'm looking forward to seeing what they're all about and what they can add to the squad.

Hopefully through my own experiences, I can help them reach their full potential."

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As he embarks on a successful career in Europe, Ryan continues to draw upon the lessons learned from his early Socceroos days.

Through this, something that stands out is the psychology behind his first FIFA World Cup Finals appearance, back in 2014.

"I just think I probably put an enormous amount of pressure on myself in those moments," he admitted. "I know everyone wants to set the standard high and it's good to do that, but I think there's the realisation that there is a human element in it and we're not always going to be perfect.

"Coming up against opposition of the highest standard and me so badly wanting to do well for our country and to make them proud probably put too much pressure on myself, in trying to become something that was maybe perhaps a bit unachievable, so to speak.

"If I had the mindset of just having belief and self-confidence in what I'd done, and what my makeup was as a player in that moment, I think it could have served me better.

"I think I naturally would have performed at a much higher level, rather than putting all that pressure on myself to be a brick wall."

This powerful realisation is one that Ryan is eager to pass on as the Socceroos prepare to end their 18-month hiatus in the coming week.

"I that would have probably helped me, if someone had given me the advice to have faith in what I've done in order to get here, and you don't need to change too much," he reflected.

"I understand obviously the level is a step up, but as long as you come in with an open mind and willingness to learn and grow, you will be successful.

I think a mistake I made in the past was coming in and with the opposition we come up against, thinking you have got to turn into some sort of superhero in order to do well.

"So my advice to them would be just to be relaxed and have that approach where they're willing to learn and grow bit by bit, and seeing what they can take away from it."

As Ryan now looks back on a whirlwind few months with Premier League giants Arsenal, it is rather fitting that the same key characteristic comes to mind.

"I think the biggest thing I took away was probably more self-belief," he said.

"Mixing it with some of the biggest names going around in football, that have achieved the highest of pinnacles in the game - winning World Cups, winning Champions Leagues - instilled with me with more belief that, 'yeah, I can play at that level.'

"I think from that I've made even more progression in myself, and in my own self-belief. Because if you don't believe that you're good enough to play at that level, then you're falling short to begin with and you're not going to reach your full potential.

"Being exposed to that bit of adversity and overcoming it was just an example to me that I can do well at that level and now I'm just looking to kick on from that."

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With his Arsenal loan expiring and a year remaining on his contract with Brighton & Hove Albion, Ryan's immediate future will likely be decided in the coming months.

While his current mindset is purely on tasting success with the national team, the goalkeeper provided an insight into how his decision-making process will unfold.

"I look forward to seeing what that little period now means for me moving forward," he said.

"I'm just keeping my head down and taking each day as it comes, but obviously my full focus is here on international duty and I have full faith in the team around me - my agent, family and friends.

"We're hopefully going to get a couple of options and go about making the best decision for me. Hopefully Arsenal becomes one of those options, so we can look at and see what can happen there.

"But at the minute it's still quite early, the season is just finished, so we'll see what happens in the coming weeks.

"At this level you're always as good as your next games, not necessarily your last games, so we're taking it day by day and just seeing where my journey takes me."

With less than a week remaining until kick off in Kuwait, Ryan's is hoping his prior experiences in the Gulf nation is something that can be used to Australia's advantage.

After keeping a valuable clean sheet during a 3-0 victory over the host nation during Australia's opening FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Qualifier back in 2019, Ryan is eager to taste similar success when he finally pulls on the Green and Gold again.

And not only does he pose a powerful faith in his own ability, but he is also brimming with confidence that his teammates are more than capable of getting the job done.

"It's something that I've have missed over the last year and a half," reflected Ryan.

"It's hard to put into words the privilege to be representing the country, there's nothing that quite replaces it. I'm so excited just to be back here involved with the national team and the opportunity to obviously pull on that jersey again.

"For myself personally, I've obviously been through one full World Cup qualifying campaign and I know how challenging it can be to achieve that ultimate goal. But everything that I've seen now, I've got the full belief that we have all that it takes to not only qualify for the World Cup, but to go there and do well."